History of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Inc.

 

The MIV was formed in 1998. It aims to foster the preservation and restoration of the social, cultural and physical heritage of MIs through the development of information exchanges and systems of mutual support.

 

Since its formation the MIV has:

 

*Staged the first National Mechanics' Institutes Conference in Melbourne in 2000 and published its proceedings

 

*Staged the third National Mechanics' Institutes Conference in Ballarat in 2018 and published its proceedings

 

*Facilitated the publishing of the 350 page book If the Walls Could Speak: A Social History of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria, of which a second edition has now been published and is now available for purchase from MIV

 

*Assisted the publication of The Libraries of the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria

 

*Established a website

 

*Secured rounds of Government grants for some of Victoria's MIs

 

*Produced two Travelling Exhibitions: Remember the Mechanics? and Mechanics'... And Proud of it!

 

*Staged Regional Meetings in country Victoria

 

*Established a Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre (MIRC) and database at Prahran MI

 

*Staged the First International Conference Mechanics' Worldwide in September 2004

 

*Launched MIV's Historical Plaques Program in 2003 have to date issued over 60 plaques statewide